Public Safety Power Shutoff

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Power outage graphic

Xcel is planning a potential PSPS for parts of Larimer and Weld on Friday January 14, 2026.

On December 17, 2025 Xcel Energy implemented a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) impacting around 52,000 customers in Boulder, Clear Creek, Jefferson, Larimer and Weld counties. Again on December 19, 2025 Xcel Energy implemented a second PSPS event that impacted approximately 69,000 customers in those same counties. Total outages across these days were higher due to damage from this storm and other protective measures implemented by Xcel.

PSPS events are implemented in order to reduce the risk of a wildfire caused by power lines or other utility infrastructure. The Public Utilities Commission does not approve or deny Xcel’s use of proactive shutoffs however, the Agency does have an important role in ensuring that the communication, preparation and coordination of PSPS events is protective of customers.

The PUC is creating a new set of rules establishing permanent requirements and standards for public safety power shutoffs. Staff is currently working to draft these rules and welcomes input from Xcel customers on their experiences with the most recent PSPS events. This information will help ensure that the PUC’s rules are comprehensive.

Please take a few minutes to give us your feedback through the survey or comment links below.

Xcel is planning a potential PSPS for parts of Larimer and Weld on Friday January 14, 2026.

On December 17, 2025 Xcel Energy implemented a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) impacting around 52,000 customers in Boulder, Clear Creek, Jefferson, Larimer and Weld counties. Again on December 19, 2025 Xcel Energy implemented a second PSPS event that impacted approximately 69,000 customers in those same counties. Total outages across these days were higher due to damage from this storm and other protective measures implemented by Xcel.

PSPS events are implemented in order to reduce the risk of a wildfire caused by power lines or other utility infrastructure. The Public Utilities Commission does not approve or deny Xcel’s use of proactive shutoffs however, the Agency does have an important role in ensuring that the communication, preparation and coordination of PSPS events is protective of customers.

The PUC is creating a new set of rules establishing permanent requirements and standards for public safety power shutoffs. Staff is currently working to draft these rules and welcomes input from Xcel customers on their experiences with the most recent PSPS events. This information will help ensure that the PUC’s rules are comprehensive.

Please take a few minutes to give us your feedback through the survey or comment links below.

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  • Share Stop These Power Shut Offs on Facebook Share Stop These Power Shut Offs on Twitter Share Stop These Power Shut Offs on Linkedin Email Stop These Power Shut Offs link

    Stop These Power Shut Offs

    by AngelaP, about 1 month ago

    Dear Public Officials,

    I am writing as a Boulder resident to urge you to take immediate action to protect our community from the growing and dangerous impacts of Xcel Energy’s Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS). I live in the Holiday Neighborhood, a relatively new part of Boulder where most power lines are underground. Despite this, our neighborhood is consistently included in PSPS events, creating unreasonable and unnecessary hardship for residents. We experienced power outages lasting 24 hours on April 6, 2024; 27 hours on December 17, 2025; and 33 hours on December 19, 2025. During each outage, I was forced... Continue reading

  • Share Unnecessarily long shutoff with inadequate and inaccurate communication on Facebook Share Unnecessarily long shutoff with inadequate and inaccurate communication on Twitter Share Unnecessarily long shutoff with inadequate and inaccurate communication on Linkedin Email Unnecessarily long shutoff with inadequate and inaccurate communication link

    Unnecessarily long shutoff with inadequate and inaccurate communication

    by ????, about 1 month ago
    We understand that Xcel is being prudent in shutting off power to avoid the risk of wildfire during high wind events. But the shutoff in December 2025 went on for much longer than necessary and was characterized by misleading and inaccurate communication from Xcel. Notifications concerning the timing of power shutoff and restoration were inaccurate. Shutoffs occurred earlier than stated and restoration occurred later than stated. Some shutoffs were unannounced. It seems likely that the wind danger was not present for the entire time of the shutoff. In fact, for most of the time during the shutoff, it simply wasn't... Continue reading
  • Share Frustrated in Golden on Facebook Share Frustrated in Golden on Twitter Share Frustrated in Golden on Linkedin Email Frustrated in Golden link

    Frustrated in Golden

    by slynn, about 1 month ago

    Coloradans have lived with high winds for over a century without "preventative" blackouts. The shutoffs on December 17th and 19th were not about safety; they were a calculated move to hold the public hostage while lobbying for total liability immunity.

    In Golden, the winds on the 19th were mild—the afternoon was calm—yet thousands were left to suffer. We watched food rot and seniors sit in cold homes for a "crisis" that never materialized.

    Our legislators consistently pass laws that make operations harder for small businesses; it is time they applied that same rigor to utility monopolies. We need a legislative... Continue reading

  • Share Little Extreme on Facebook Share Little Extreme on Twitter Share Little Extreme on Linkedin Email Little Extreme link

    Little Extreme

    by LM Citizen, about 1 month ago

    We were told our power would be out for roughly 6 hours. That message came in a form of call, text and email. The power went out earlier and didn't come on until the next evening for about 6 hours. Then it went off for a few days. There was really little wind. We were led to believe by the news that things would be worse yet Xcel shut us down. Since we live in the foothills, we rely on wi-fi calling. When our power is shutdown, we have no service for phone or internet. With no power, we will... Continue reading

  • Share Absurdities on Facebook Share Absurdities on Twitter Share Absurdities on Linkedin Email Absurdities link

    Absurdities

    by Ddcaff, about 1 month ago

    We live in Lake Valley just north of Boulder. Our power was off for the better part of 5 (five) days. Our internet provider went down. Our cell phone coverage is very sketchy even on a good day. Both of these issues are something we would like to see addressed as soon as possible. Maybe a cell tower that provides better coverage for our area or better power backup by our ISP and/or cell providers? In an emergency, medical care would have been delayed at least 30 minutes before we could even contact 911.

    Meanwhile, Xcel continued to attempt communication... Continue reading

  • Share Confusion and inept communications on Facebook Share Confusion and inept communications on Twitter Share Confusion and inept communications on Linkedin Email Confusion and inept communications link

    Confusion and inept communications

    by Murph, about 1 month ago
    The PSPS over Dec 19-21 was necessary for certain areas....just not mine. After the Marshall fire I can appreciate Xcel take precautions when there are high wind warnings. What I found so frustrating and expensive is that my area where I live had very little wind or gusts. We even had rain the night of the 19th.

    We received several texts in an attempt to keep us informed but they were conflicting and confusing. When talking to the folks on the line trucks and the area supervisor, even they admitted to being confused. I was told that the lead that... Continue reading

  • Share Paybacks on Facebook Share Paybacks on Twitter Share Paybacks on Linkedin Email Paybacks link

    Paybacks

    by GHDave, about 1 month ago
    You know the old saying that "Paybacks are a b***h"? Well, Xcel said "Oh, so you're going to sue us because you think we might possibly have contributed to starting a fire? Ok, watch this!"


    It is totally unacceptable for Xcel to cut power in wide areas pre-emptively, and then take multiple days to restore it. I have the funds and space to own and operate a generator, so that I and my family can be warm and keep our food cold. Many people don't have this option. And in this century I should be able to expect reliable power... Continue reading

  • Share Un-prepared on Facebook Share Un-prepared on Twitter Share Un-prepared on Linkedin Email Un-prepared link

    Un-prepared

    by JackR, about 1 month ago
    We got through the outage OK once we retrieved our dormant camping equipment. I have since bought an inverter to work off my truck's battery.


    Our biggest problem was the closure of my wife's business in downtown Golden. This cost us thousands of dollars.


    The wind in Golden was light compared to previous wind events. I am hoping these outages will not become the new norm.

  • Share Utilities must be required to SHARE LIABILITY for their decisions to pre-emptively cut off electrical service on Facebook Share Utilities must be required to SHARE LIABILITY for their decisions to pre-emptively cut off electrical service on Twitter Share Utilities must be required to SHARE LIABILITY for their decisions to pre-emptively cut off electrical service on Linkedin Email Utilities must be required to SHARE LIABILITY for their decisions to pre-emptively cut off electrical service link

    Utilities must be required to SHARE LIABILITY for their decisions to pre-emptively cut off electrical service

    by KM, about 1 month ago
    I am a resident of Evergreen, Colorado, a small business owner and rely on medical devices at home.


    For XCEL to be allowed to unilaterally decide to pre-emptively shut off power in anticipation of an "act of god" without sharing the liabilities and costs of those decisions does not serve communities, businesses, governments, or individuals - it only limits XCEL's legal and financial liability. This system must be changed.

    Utilities should share liabilities with local governments and insurance through new law(s) that allow for limited liability protection for utilities that can demonstrate that they have adopted and maintain technologies (buried... Continue reading

  • Share CAST AWAY BY XCEL ... in Boulder. on Facebook Share CAST AWAY BY XCEL ... in Boulder. on Twitter Share CAST AWAY BY XCEL ... in Boulder. on Linkedin Email CAST AWAY BY XCEL ... in Boulder. link

    CAST AWAY BY XCEL ... in Boulder.

    by bcarmic35, about 1 month ago

    I run a photography studio from my home in Newlands. I lost my clients for this period and was plunged into a very primitive survival mode. I've been a professional adventure filmmaker for the majority of my career, and I've done a lot of bivouacking in my day. But to be discarded by Xcel was highly frustrating and scary. I wondered how the less prepared citizens in the sea of darkness were faring. Because this was hard on me. I'm in my late 70s, and this was stressful for everyone around me and for me. I got the Xcel update... Continue reading

Page last updated: 30 Jan 2026, 04:52 PM